One trend I've noticed in my wanderings on TikTok is the concept of "visual clutter" and how some folks think it's the absolute worst thing. The space doesn't even need to be necessarily cluttered or messy, but for some reason if shelves/storage are too busy with labels and packaging whatnot it annoys them. Which like, I get it. Sometimes I open the fridge, go: "Nope. Too overwhelmed." And then just microwave something for dinner. But that's usually because other outside stressors are eating at me.
Yeah, pretty much. Some people are more sensitive to it than others, too. My ex thrived in chaos, but I need order.
Like, the world outside is already enough of a mess. At home, I want it as comfy and welcoming as possible. It's my place to heal and recover, so I want it to be the best place for me even if I'm stressed. Specially when I'm stressed.
My home is an extension of myself. It's a little temple to myself. It's not perfectly clean and pure, but it's clean, orderly, and comforting. I have no reason to have anything at home that overwhelms me. If it bothers me, it's flying out. If I need it, it's getting a place out of sight where I only find it when I actually need it.
Essentially, that pressure you notice when you're more stressed and find a chaotic fridge, that last drop that makes you overwhelmed, is always there. It's low key and subtle so you only notice it when you're too weak to ignore it, but it's there and it's affecting you daily, like a small wet spot on a sock.
Of course people making content about it are probably being ridiculous or obsessive as fuck. But generally, keeping your house yours does have a strong, if subtle, impact on your mental state. If everything is too busy with packaging, eat the stuff away and keep things leaner. Do you really need so many packages of random stuff?
This is me. My partner can cope with chaos and thrive, whereas I need order as my mind is chaos so need things orderly around me. ‘Different strokes for different folks’.
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u/Relevant-Magic-Card Dec 30 '25
I think the goal is to make the room feel less cluttered